The town of Secaucus has another place for toddlers to roam with the recent unveiling of an upgraded nursery at Harmon Cove Towers. Parents, residents, the mayor, and council members gathered for a grand opening on Feb. 4.

The Harmon Cove tower is a 25 story, hi-rise condominium complex that is part of the Harmon Cove townhouse and condo complex located on Meadowlands Parkway.

“It is so much nicer now and brighter,” said Helen Carnegie, president of the Harmon Cove Towers Condo Association. She has resided in the towers 30 years and lived in Jersey City before moving to Secaucus in 1981. Carnegie said a special committee of Harmon Cove moms initiated the renovation of the nursery. “New babies are being born all the time…The majority of the residents are families. Quite a few children live here.”
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“The nursery has soft mats for kids to tumble on, foam bridges, tumbling toys to climb over, big wheels, games, toys, tables and chairs, and books.” – Helen Carnegie
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“The nursery is a wonderful addition to the Towers complex,” said Councilwoman Susan Pirro, who is a resident of the Harmon Cove townhouses. “In an era where most parents work and their time is at a premium, the on-site nursery offers to residents the convenience of being able to spend time socializing with neighbors and their children during hours that a private facility may not be open....evenings, weekends, and even holidays.”

The towers, built around 1979, are home to approximately 526 units and approximately 2,000 residents. The nursery, which has existed since the towers first opened, was in serious need of repair, and had a complete renovation to become a more welcoming space for towers residents.

“We gutted it [and] put a new floor in. We upgraded the small little bathroom for the kids,” said Carnegie.

The nursery is open to residents of the towers and does not have an age limit for kids.

Tumbling, toys, and tea parties

Carnegie said the nursery has soft mats for kids to tumble on, foam bridges, tumbling toys to climb over, big wheels, games, toys, tables and chairs, and books. She said that the space is also available for birthday parties and one family has already reserved the space in February.

Pirro said that the new nursery is a great place for parents to socialize and meet others.

“Forming bonds and relationships with neighbors from other parts of the complex that [residents] may not know is another plus,” said Pirro. “This can translate into future carpooling, etc. from school and extra-curricular activities…parents helping other parents.”

Children must be accompanied by an adult in the nursery at all times. The nursery is free and included in the amenities for Harmon Cove Towers residents.

The nursery is also available for formal classes and workshops for children. Carnegie said that Toddlers in Motion, a group that offers classes in art, movement, dance, and language plans to gauge interest in setting up a program in the towers nursery.

In addition to the recent nursery upgrade, the Harmon Cove Towers last year installed a new playground.

Where toddlers roam

The town has taken steps to offer spaces for toddlers to play and for parents and guardians to socialize and connect. The mayor and council officially opened a Tot Center for 3 and 4-year-olds from all over town on Dec. 3. The free space is located on the second floor of the Community Center on Front Street, which was converted from a basketball court into a toddler-friendly room with bouncy slides, toys, big wheels, and playhouses.

The town last summer closed a day care center located near Plaza Center because it was losing $100,000 in town funds annually. The Board of Education converted the day care center classrooms to accommodate the pre-kindergarten program after receiving the space from the town. The pre-k program is open to children who turn four by Oct. 31.

Adriana Rambay Fernández may be reached at afernandez@hudsonreporter.com.